In late December 1998, three Corvallis houses burned on consecutive days, leaving residents temporarily homeless in each situation. The fires were all believed to be related to cold weather or holiday activities.

Another Corvallis family lost its home on Christmas Eve the next year when candles being used to decorate a Christmas tree caught the tree on fire, seriously damaging the residence.

Jim Patton, fire prevention officer for the Corvallis Fire Department, said it all comes back to not leaving items unattended — candles, holiday lights, fireplaces, portable space heaters, pellet stoves, etc.

With carelessness comes fires.

"Unattended. Every one of those things is typically the result of someone leaving something unattended," Patton said.

In addition to not leaving items unattended, fire officials remind residents to unplug those things that could be a fire source when you go to bed or leave the house, including portable heaters and other small appliances and holiday lights.

Also, blow out the candles when you are not around.

"We don't lose too many houses to fires where people are home," Patton said.

The three fires in 1998 happened during a cold snap, he said. The fires were the result of residents attempting to use alternative heating sources.

"People just want to be warm," he said. "If they're uncomfortable they're going to do whatever they have to do to get comfortable."

As the fire department always does, it reminds people to check smoke alarms. House checks in recent years have found that about 25 percent of Corvallis homes don't have working alarms, either from old batteries or malfunction.

If children can't hear the smoke alarm from their bedrooms then alarms should be placed in their bedrooms. Parents should test their alarms when the children are asleep to make sure they are awakened by the alarms.

"Make time for safety and those things that are prone to be hazardous," Patton said.

Jesse Sowa covers general assignments for the Gazette-Times. He can be reached at jesse.sowa@lee.net or by phone at 758-9521.

Holiday fire safety tips

House fires killed 2,670 Americans last year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. In addition, people suffered 13,650 injuries and $5.9 billion in property damage.

The risk for a house fire is especially high during the holiday season. To keep your home and your family safe this holiday season, take heed to these safety tips:

• Inspect all Christmas lights and electrical cords for frayed wires. If the cords are not in perfect condition, throw them away.

• If you buy real evergreen trees for the holidays, be sure they are freshly cut. Trees with high moisture content will stay green longer, and they are less likely to set fire. Water it daily.

• Don't hang Christmas stockings from the mantel when you have a fire burning.

• Don't put your Christmas tree near the radiator, fireplace or heating duct. Prolonged contact with heating devices can cause a fire.

• Do not block windows or doorways with holiday decorations. Keep all exits easily accessible.•Never burn wrapping paper, boxes, or Christmas trees in the fireplace. They catch fire too quickly and let off too much heat.

• When preparing holiday meals, always stay in the kitchen and be aware of what you are cooking. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of house fires in the United States.•Never leave a burning candle unattended.

• Remove your tree soon after Christmas or whenever it begins noticeably shedding its needles. If you buy an artificial Christmas tree, make sure it is labeled flame-retardant.